LAS VEGAS - The Nevada Department of Transportation is preparing to launch a new program designed to increase the participation of small businesses on NDOT projects. On Friday, July 26, NDOT officials will present, "How to do Business with the Nevada Department of Transportation," a 90-minute informational workshop at the Clark County Government Center, 500 Grand Central Parkway, inside the 1st floor Pueblo Room.

Attendees will learn what the program's requirements are, how to position their businesses to take advantage of this opportunity, how to participate in NDOT's informal bidding program (contracts less than $250,000) and about new legislation that extends certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goals to state-funded projects. The target audience is small businesses, including women and minority-owned enterprises that provide services or supplies related to highway construction. The workshop runs from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and will be lead by NDOT Civil Rights Officer Yvonne Schuman and NDOT DBE Program Coordinator Anderine Cowan.

To register for the workshop, call (775) 784-1717 or log on to the Nevada Small Business Development Center's Website. "Where's the Contract" is a free monthly program designed for Nevada businesses looking for opportunities to expand their market to government agencies. Future "Where's the Contract" workshops are slated for Aug. 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 24 and Nov. 22. Workshop partners include the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Nevada Governor's Office of Economic Development, the Nevada Small Business Development Center and Clark County.

About NDOT's DBE ProgramIn an effort to eliminate inequalities, each state's Department of Transportation administers the DBE program with one DBE officer presiding as a liaison officer. Here in Nevada, that DBE liaison officer is Yvonne Schuman. She and her staff have a dedicated goal to help eligible businesses become DBE-certified so they can become part of the Nevada Unified Certification Program and participate on federally funded highway construction contracts and other projects shoulder-to-shoulder with major corporations. NDOT's Civil Rights Office has been working to empower businesses.

On Feb. 6, NDOT hosted a workshop offering participants a step-by-step guide to completing NDOT's DBE certification application. Twenty-seven people attended the workshiop, which was held in the Nevada Minority Supplice Development Council training facility and facilitated by NDOT Civil Rights Officer yvone Schuman. Late last year, NDOT launched its DBE Empowerment Connections (DEC), whose focus is bringing general contractors and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) together to develop new business relationships for upcoming projects. Assisting NDOT with DEC program development is Anderine Cowan, consultant to NDOT. And in August 2012, NDOT hosted a Bidding Opportunity Informational meeting regarding the F Street Connection project.

About NDOT

Established in 1917, the Nevada Department of Transportation is responsible for the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of 5,400 miles of highway and more than 1,000 bridges comprising the state highway system. NDOT's mission is to provide a better transportation system for Nevada through unified and dedicated efforts. The department is divided into three districts. The districts are responsible for supervising all state transportation activities within their local areas. NDOT's headquarters is located in Carson City; district offices are in Las Vegas, Reno and Elko. NDOT is overseen by a seven-member directors' board and run by senior staff. Visit NDOT's Website for more information.